St. Paul, Minn. – Nick Bjugstad’s hat trick was the highlight of the Arizona Coyotes’ commanding 6-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. Goalie Connor Ingram backstopped the win with 38 saves, earning his NHL-leading fifth shutout of the season.
Clayton Keller also played a key role with two goals and an assist, while Jason Zucker and Jack McBain each contributed two assists. The Coyotes (21-18-2) have now won two of their last three games, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid goaltending.
The Wild (17-20-5), facing a tough stretch, have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine. Goalie Filip Gustavsson, returning from injury, allowed five goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury in the second period.
Arizona’s coach Andre Tourigny praised the team’s mindset and defensive urgency, leading to a solid three-period performance. Minnesota’s players and coach John Hynes expressed disappointment with their play, acknowledging the need for improvement.
Bjugstad opened the scoring in the first period and added two more goals, including one on the power play. Keller’s goals in the second and third periods further solidified the Coyotes’ dominance.
Minnesota’s forward Kirill Kaprizov, returning from an injury, couldn’t spark a comeback despite generating scoring chances.
The victory for Arizona highlights their potential when firing on all cylinders, combining effective offense with strong goaltending. For Minnesota, the focus will be on regaining form and breaking out of their recent slump as they look ahead to future matchups.
